Activity of the promoter of the Lhca3.St.1 gene, encoding the potato apoprotein 2 of the light-harvesting complex of Photosystem I, in transgenic potato and tobacco plants

• Published in: Plant molecular biology Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 605 - 612
• Main Authors: Nap, J.P. (Centrum voor Plantenveredelings- en Reproduktieonderzoek DLO, Wageningen (Netherlands)), Spanje, M. van, Dirkse, W.G, Baarda, G, Mlynarova, L, Loonen, A, Grondhuis, P, Stiekema, W.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01-11-1993
• Subjects: ADN; Amino Acid Sequence; Apoproteins - genetics; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; CHLOROPHYLLE; CHLOROPHYLLS; CLOROFILAS; DNA; EXPRESION GENICA; EXPRESSION DES GENES; FOTOSISTEMAS; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GENE; GENE EXPRESSION; Gene Expression Regulation; GENES; Genes, Plant; Genes. Genome; LIGHT; Light-Harvesting Protein Complexes; LUMIERE; LUZ; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Nicotiana - genetics; NICOTIANA TABACUM; Photosynthetic Reaction Center Complex Proteins - genetics; Photosystem I Protein Complex; PHOTOSYSTEME; PHOTOSYSTEMS; PLANTAS TRANSGENICAS; PLANTE TRANSGENIQUE; Plants, Genetically Modified; Plants, Toxic; Promoter Regions, Genetic; PROTEINAS; PROTEINE; PROTEINS; SOLANUM TUBEROSUM; Solanum tuberosum - genetics; TRANSGENIC PLANTS; Nucleotide sequence; Transcription promoter; Solanum tuberosum; Gene expression; Nicotiana tabacum; Photosystem 1; Regulation(control); Apoproteins; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Chromosome DNA; Spermatophyta; Transgenic plant; Solanaceae
• ISSN: 0167-4412; 1573-5028
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00019307

We have isolated cDNA and genomic clones for the potato (Solanum tuberosum) apoprotein 2 of the light harvesting complex of Photosystem I, designated Lhca3.St.1. The protein shows all characteristics of the family of chlorophyll a/b-binding proteins. Potato Lhca3.1 gene expression occurs predominantly in leaves, and is transcriptionally regulated by light. One gene copy is present per haploid genome. The sequence of the 5' upstream region was determined. Most boxes identified in the promoter sequences of genes whose expression is light-regulated recur in the Lhca3.St.1 sequence. Functional analyses of the Lhca3.St.1 promoter and two deletion derivatives in transgenic potato transformed with a promoter-GUS fusion show high promoter activity in leaves and other green parts of the plant, which depends on light. Activity is absent in roots and potato tubers. The 500 bp promoter fragment is as active as the full 2.0 kb sequence, showing that all regulatory elements are present on the smallest deletion derivative. In transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants carrying the largest promoter derivative a similar distribution of activity is found. Promoter activity is not restricted to the phloem, but also prominent in the xylem of the young stem, which contrasts with promoters of other photosynthesis-associated genes.